Lake Tahoe Skiing

With an enviable combination of guaranteed snowfall, 17,000+ acres of skiing, stunning scenery, Lake Tahoe, high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a world class ski resort—it even hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics! Every season, Lake Tahoe attracts thousands of professional and amateur skiers and it has more resorts and different types of skiing terrain than any other North American ski destination. The weather is also conducive to a great vacation: Lake Tahoe enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine every year. Perfect for catching a tan while blasting down the slopes.

And not only is the skiing in a league of its own, the après ski night life is also world class. Visitors don’t just come to Lake Tahoe to ski—they come to party, too!

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Typically, the ski season at Lake Tahoe runs from November through to May. At the back end of the season, skiing is only usually available in the highest slopes, but with the advent of warm spring sunshine, it is a great opportunity to ski in t-shirts as opposed to full ski suits! During the winter months, the weather can be changeable and there are frequent blizzard conditions leading to the risk of avalanches. Individual resorts usually offer up-to-the minute weather reports so that you can check the state of the snow before you travel. If you intend to drive in Lake Tahoe during winter, always use snow chains.

There are 12 resorts at Lake Tahoe. The majority of these are located at the northern end of the lake, but there are a group of 3 resorts—Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Heavenly—located at the southern side of the lake. It is common for visitors to travel and ski between these 3 resorts. On the north side, Squaw Valley is the largest resort with 170+ ski runs, 20% of which are suitable for beginners.

All of the resorts have a range of facilities to help visitors make the most of their vacation. There are ski lifts to take you from the resorts up the mountains to the start of the ski runs, plus the runs are graded for all ability levels.

For beginners, or those less experienced, lessons are available at all resorts. You can choose to have private individual lessons, or learn as a group. Adult beginner packages include ski, boots, and pole hire, plus lift pass and lesson. Packages and lessons can usually be booked for half day, full day, or 3 days durations. For intermediate and advanced skiers, packages which include equipment and lift passes are available as well as lessons only, which do not include equipment and lift passes.

Snow schools for children are also offered. These focus on fun as well as safety, so while you’re out enjoying the slopes, you can be sure your kids are being well looked after by experienced instructors. During peak times, it is prudent to book lessons and ski camps in advance to ensure places are available. Booking in advance is also a good way to save money by taking advantage of special offers and deals.

If you are a more experienced skier who wants to make the most of the resort, guides can be hired for either a half day, or a full day. They will take small groups on tours of some of the more inaccessible areas, thus allowing you to ski runs off the beaten track. Avalanche safety instruction and equipment is included with these packages.

Season passes allow you to access the slopes in all resorts. These can be purchased either in advance, or in resort. Season tickets are available if you are planning on skiing regularly. For groups, there are special rates offered by booking in advance—check with the individual resorts for details.

Lift passes are also available to purchase in advance, online. Special discounts are offered for students. Active members of the military qualify for free passes. Check lift pass prices at your resort before you travel.

Ski equipment for both children and adults can be rented at all resorts for those people who don’t have their own. Equipment rental is either on a daily basis, or for longer periods. The cost of a children’s ski equipment package which includes skis, boots, and poles, would typically be around $149 for a season. Rentals can be arranged either in the resort itself, or in advance via the resort websites.

If you want to invest in your own equipment, or upgrade to something with more bling once you are on vacation, there are shopping opportunities galore at the resorts where you can max out your credit cards to your hearts content!

With such amazing skiing on offer, plus a host of other activities to keep your family amused, Lake Tahoe is the premier winter ski destination suitable for the entire family.